Written by Susan Gardener, a member of the Scotch Quarry Park community composting scheme, on the occasion of the initiative’s first birthday in October 2024.
I’ve always liked watching things rot. There is something beautiful in the quiet ongoing business of entropy. Wood fibres gently giving in to time (and woodlice…) revealing their structure, the hollows and raised ribs of long-past growth rings. Metal, shedding its paint, rusting into oranges, ochres and browns, pitted and patinated. It’s all fascinating.
And one of the most wonderful things about rot is that it’s how soil comes about. Which is where
composting comes in. Household vegetable peelings, mixed with the right amount of dry materials like
shredded cardboard transform into the richest of compost to feed gardens, and nourish the next season’s treasure of carrots, onions and cabbages (other vegetables are available).
Not only am I a bit obsessed with composting and other forms of decay – I’m always glad to see local, grassroots projects that have the potential for real change and growth as well as building connections between people. So it will be no surprise, given my joys in life, that when I found out there was a community composting scheme about to happen near me, I cheerfully jumped on board.
The Scotch Quarry Park site, near my home, was the first community composting demonstration site in Lancaster District that was set up as part of the Closing Loops project. Following an initial call for interest from Diana, Community Composting Coordinator for the Closing Loops project at LESS, an indoor meeting was held where people could find out more. We then had an outdoor gathering to have a look at the potential site.
There were lively discussions about the pluses – Compost! Somewhere to put your veg scraps! Less smelly bin juice! Making the world a better place! – and also honest acknowledgement of potential issues – neighbours, safety, avoiding rats and other undesirables. All important, but all manageable.
Then shortly after that, our first bin arrived for assembly, and the first scraps were tipped in (along with some worms to help with the process*). Me and my fellow compost volunteers stirred the peelings every few days and watched happily as they started to break down.
The bins are made from wood and look very solid and handsome, sat alongside the raised beds of the Scotch Quarry Fruity Corners project. As one bin fills, another is made available for use by members of the scheme who have the secret padlock code for dropping off their deposits. We have four bins now, all at different stages of progress. I love going up there to give them a stir and chat to passers-by, who are invariably interested and positive about it.
And a few days ago we already celebrated our first birthday! Compost from our initial bin (now rich, dark and full of nutrients) was emptied out and given away to any members who wanted it for their gardens. It was great to meet and chat with fellow participants and to open up all the bins, so people could see how the system works. Cake and mugs of tea were shared as befits any celebration. And yes, of course, we popped our tea-bags into the bins to start turning into next year’s compost supply!
If you would like support in setting up a local community composting initiative in North Lancashire, please contact diana_CL@lessuk.org.
*Worms are amazing! But that’s a subject for another day.
